Analysis of long-term treatment of intracranial germinoma.

PURPOSE

To determine an appropriate treatment policy for intracranial germinoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

From 1976 to 1992, 51 patients with germinoma (18 with pathologically verified germinoma and 33 diagnosed as having germinoma by neuroimagings) were treated by radiation therapy. Various radiation doses and treatment fields were used.

RESULTS

The 10-year cause-specific survival rate for pathologically verified and unverified germinoma was 100% and 96%, respectively. Relapses were noted in four patients, three of whom died from the disease. Two of the four patients with a tumor larger than 4 cm in gross diameter experienced relapse. Two relapses occurred in a nonirradiated spinal canal and two occurred in the irradiation area treated by 25 Gy in 10 fractions and 30 Gy in 20 fractions. No relapse was noted in patients in whom the whole ventricle field was determined precisely using three-dimensional treatment planning. Five patients who were followed at an outpatient clinic experienced significant late neurocognitive dysfunction, which set in after radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

After pathological confirmation, 40 Gy whole-ventricle irradiation using precise three-dimensional treatment planning is appropriate as a standard treatment for most intracranial germinoma.